Abstract:
This workshop will introduce chemistry instructors to free chemistry
computing resources in the "cloud." These sites can be used by teachers
to enhance their own understanding, and prepare chemistry teaching
materials; or by students to carry out lab investigations or science
projects. A laptop with Java-enabled browser, or iPad, is all that is
required. Participants will carry out several activities suitable for
high school or first-year college chemistry labs, such as calculating
and visualizing molecular electron clouds and vibrations, visualizing
bonds and intermolecular interactions in drug molecules, proteins and
DNA. Other topics: introduction to methods of computational chemistry,
discussion of free or low-cost molecular modeling resources for
teachers, such as Jmol, WebMO, NWChem, MOPAC, and the Protein Data
Bank.

Who should attend:

High school teachers

College level general chemistry instructors

College and graduate level students

Learning objectives:

Build or download molecules using
browser

Use molecular orbitals and
surfaces to understand chemical concepts

Sort out, and apply, the
different computational methods of modern chemistry